Claudia Dipasupil (no.22) of Northern Highlands (in white) drives the ball past Emma Gallagher (no.5) of River Dell (in black) during the Bergen County Girls Soccer Tournament at Northern Highlands High School in Allendale on 10/08/17. Northern Highlands won the game 3 to 1. Mitsu Yasukawa/NorthJersey.com

Bryonna Richburg was the winning pitcher in six of Mary Help's seven softball victories in 2018, as the Blue Jays posted their best record in a decade. Courtesy of Mary Help of Christians Academy athletics

Passaic County girls bowling champion Bryonna Richburg of Mary Help, center, is joined by teammates (from left) Natalie Lamendola, Savannah Susen, Kayla Sullivan and Alleyna Jean-Philippe after collecting the high game and series medals at the 2018 tournament. Greg Tartaglia/NorthJersey.com

Clifton's Gabby Pangaro (left) and Fair Lawn's Nick Greco captured the girls and boys titles, respectively, of the North Jersey Singles Championships bowling tournament on Saturday at Parkway Lanes in Elmwood Park. Special to The Record

First day of Bergen County Track Championships at Old Tappan High School on Friday, May 11, 2018. Katherine Muccio, of Ridgewood, on her way to finishing first in her division of the 400IH. Michael Karas/NorthJersey.com

Mike Piazza (Hall of Fame Baseball Player) and Ashley Hess of Holy Angels (Girls Tennis Player of the Year Award). NorthJersey.com and the USA Today Network hosted its second annual Sports Awards at bergenPAC in Englewood. The evening honored high school athletes across north jersey and featured Hall of Fame baseball player Mike Piazza as the guest speaker. 06/14/2018 Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com

Ashley Hess of Holy Angels prepares to return as she plays against Riya Ravi of Northern Highlands in the large school division during the Bergen County Girls Tennis Tournament at NV/Old Tappan High School in Old Tappan on 9/24/17.(Photo: Mitsu Yasukawa/NorthJersey.com)

When Nick Bradley starred for the Waldwick tennis team and played collegiately at The Citadel, he trained and hit with a good number of future professionals. So when the Ridgewood Racquet Club instructor says his protégé, Ashley Hess, has the potential to play on the pro tour, those words carry some weight.

“Other players … their best days might be right now,” Bradley said. “But with Ashley, there’s so much more there. It’s only a matter of how much she wants to put into it. Her best days are definitely in front of her.”

Bradley said the Holy Angels senior’s future is especially bright because her game has one major flaw that’s “easy to fix.” The 17-year-old Hess, who’s trained year-round since she was 10, admitted to being surprised by Bradley’s diagnosis that her relative fitness level needed to improve.

“My endurance seemed fine because I play a lot,” Hess said. “But after listening to [Bradley] and then working more on my fitness, I’ve noticed a big improvement. I’ve taken his advice and it’s helped a lot.”

Over the past three years, Hess developed a reputation as the best defensive player in the state. Besides being able to get to and return almost all her opponents’ shots, Hess has also shown flashes of a burgeoning offensive game that Bradley said will only improve with her level of fitness.

“It’s easier to stay back and move from side to side than it is to move up and back,” Bradley explained. “[Greater fitness] will allow her to develop a more aggressive mentality. She won’t be getting pushed around as much.”

Mike Piazza (Hall of Fame Baseball Player) and Ashley Hess of Holy Angels (Girls Tennis Player of the Year Award). NorthJersey.com and the USA Today Network hosted its second annual Sports Awards at bergenPAC in Englewood. The evening honored high school athletes across north jersey and featured Hall of Fame baseball player Mike Piazza as the guest speaker. 06/14/2018(Photo: Jeremy Smith/Special to NorthJersey.com)

According to Bradley, Hess has an inherent edge on most of the competition because of her size. The Cedar Grove native stands 5 feet, 10 inches, which is a prototypical measurement for touring players. Besides having a greater reach, Hess can use this to develop a more powerful service and baseline game. Bradley said Hess “has the body type to bully people off the court.”

Combine that with Hess’ incredible athleticism and determination and the sky could be the limit.

“Ashley takes every piece of advice and uses it,” Bradley said. “As a coach, there’s nothing better to see from one of your students. She never complains when I push her. She always rises up to the challenge.”

Sister act

Besides being an elite tennis player, Hess is an exceptional student and has committed to play at Dartmouth College.

Before she does, Hess will lead what figures to be an outstanding Holy Angels team that will also include her sister Brooke, an incoming freshman. The Hess household includes a third elite age-group player in Rebecca, who’ll be starting seventh grade.

“I wish all three of us could’ve play for [Holy Angels] at the same time,” Hess said. “But I’m really excited to be playing alongside Brooke this season.

“I feel like I led by example and my sisters developed the same love for the sport that I have, which really makes me happy.”

As a freshman, Hess led Holy Angels to its first Bergen County Tournament and state group championships. With Brooke at her side, the Angels have a great shot of regaining both titles. After that, Hess will challenge for the state singles crown.

“Throughout high school, my goal has always stayed the same,” Hess said. “I just want to keep improving and play the best I can in every single match.

“I’m really excited for my senior year, though. It should be a great season, team-wise and individually.”